Eligible UAE visit and tourist visa holders may be able to extend their authorised stay without leaving the country. The permitted extension, total stay limit, processing channel and fees depend on the visa category and whether the permit falls under ICP or GDRFA Dubai. This guide explains the 2026 extension rules, costs, 30- and 60-day options, required documents and application process.
UAE Visit Visa Extension Rules in 2026
Under the current UAE visit visa extension rules, extension eligibility depends on the type of entry permit and the authority that issued it. A single extension rule should not be applied to every UAE visa category.
For visit and tourism entry permits handled under ICP, the issuing authority may allow one or multiple extensions, provided the total permitted stay does not exceed 120 days. Other entry-permit categories can have different maximum periods, different extension conditions or may not be extendable at all.
This means travellers should check the exact visa category shown on their permit before choosing an extension option. A 30-day, 60-day, multiple-entry or other entry permit should not automatically be assumed to have the same extension rights.
For the federal rules, fees and eligible categories, refer to the official ICP visa extension service.
Can You Extend a UAE Visit Visa Without Leaving the Country?
Yes, eligible UAE visit and tourist visas can be extended while the traveller remains inside the UAE. However, UAE visit visa extension without exit is not automatically available for every visa category. The permit type and issuing authority determine whether an extension is available and the conditions that apply.
Before applying for an inside-country extension, confirm that:
- your current entry permit belongs to a category that can be extended;
- you know whether the permit was issued under ICP or GDRFA Dubai;
- you have not exceeded the authorised stay applicable to your visa;
- your passport and required supporting documents are available; and
- you meet any category-specific conditions required by the issuing authority.
An inside-country extension allows an eligible traveller to extend the authorised stay without making a border run solely for the purpose of obtaining additional stay time. It should not, however, be confused with an airport-to-airport visa change, which involves leaving the UAE and returning under a new visa or entry arrangement.
UAE Visit Visa Extension Fees in 2026
One of the most common questions is how much a UAE visit visa extension costs. There is no single universal extension price because government charges vary according to the issuing authority and visa category, while a commercial visa-assistance service may have its own total service price.
Official ICP Extension Fees
For applicable visa-extension categories, ICP currently lists an AED 100 application fee and an AED 500 entry-permit extension fee. Different fees can apply to certain specialised entry-permit categories, so the exact amount should be checked against the visa being extended.
GDRFA Dubai Extension Fees
For the GDRFA Dubai tourist visa extension service, the published extension fee is AED 600 plus 5% VAT. Where the sponsored person is already inside the UAE, the service also lists an AED 500 inside-country fee, AED 10 Knowledge Dirham and AED 10 Innovation Dirham.
For Dubai-specific conditions and fees, refer to the official GDRFA Dubai tourist visa extension service.
Government Fee vs Commercial Service Price
A government visa-extension fee and the total amount charged by a commercial service provider are not the same thing. A commercial total can include government charges together with processing, assistance or other applicable service costs.
For this reason, government fees should not be presented as the final UAEVisaOnline service price. Before submitting an application, check the current total displayed on the relevant extension product.
30-Day vs 60-Day UAE Visa Extension
Choosing between a UAE visit visa extension for 1 month and a longer extension depends on how much additional authorised stay you need and whether your current visa category permits the requested extension.
| Factor | 30-Day Extension | 60-Day Extension |
|---|---|---|
| Additional Stay | 30 days | 60 days |
| Suitable For | Travellers who need a shorter additional stay | Travellers who need a longer additional stay |
| Eligibility | Depends on current visa category and issuing authority | Depends on current visa category and issuing authority |
| Service Price | Check the current 30-day product price | Check the current 60-day product price |
| Processing | Depends on the selected processing channel | Depends on the selected processing channel |
If you need one additional month, review the 30-day UAE inside-country visa extension, including the current service price and processing option before applying.
If you need a longer extension, compare the 60-day UAE inside-country visa extension instead.
Which UAE Visa Types May Be Eligible for Extension?
Not every UAE entry permit follows the same extension rules. Eligibility must be determined from the exact visa category rather than from the original visa duration alone.
For example, ICP states that visit and tourism entry permits may be extended by the issuing authority once or multiple times within the applicable total-stay limit. Other categories can have different limits, while some entry permits are specifically non-extendable.
Applicants should therefore avoid assuming that every 30-day visa, 60-day visa, multiple-entry visa or visa issued on arrival can automatically receive the same extension. If you want the full details on the visa itself rather than its extension, see our guide on the 60-day visa in Dubai.
Before applying, check:
- the exact entry-permit category;
- the issuing authority;
- the original permitted stay;
- the maximum stay allowed for that category;
- whether the permit can be extended; and
- whether any category-specific conditions apply.
ICP or GDRFA: Which Authority Handles Your Extension?
The correct extension channel depends on the authority responsible for the visa. UAE visa-extension rules and charges should therefore not be presented as though ICP and GDRFA Dubai use one identical fee structure.
ICP
ICP handles applicable federal visa and entry-permit services. Its visa-extension service covers eligible categories and sets out category-specific conditions, required documents and fees.
GDRFA Dubai
For applicable visas issued through Dubai, the extension process may fall under GDRFA Dubai. Its tourist visa extension service has its own published fees, requirements and processing arrangements.
Check the issuing authority shown on your visa or entry permit before starting an extension request.
How to Extend a UAE Visit Visa Online
The UAE visit visa extension online process depends on the visa category and issuing authority, but the general process can be completed in the following steps.
Step 1 – Confirm Your Visa Category and Issuing Authority
Check your existing visa or entry permit and identify whether it falls under ICP, GDRFA Dubai or another applicable channel.
Step 2 – Check Whether the Visa Can Be Extended
Confirm that your visa category permits an extension and check the additional stay available for that category.
If you are using UAEVisaOnline for an eligible inside-country extension, compare the 30-day inside-country visa extension and 60-day inside-country visa extension before selecting an option.
Step 3 – Prepare the Required Documents
Prepare the passport, personal photograph and other documents required for the relevant visa category. Make sure all submitted copies are clear and current.
Step 4 – Submit the Extension Request
Submit the request through the applicable authority, sponsor or service provider and provide any supporting documents requested for the visa category.
Step 5 – Pay the Applicable Fees
Review the government fees and any separate commercial service charges before completing payment.
Step 6 – Keep the Application Reference and Track the Request
Keep the reference provided after submission. Where applicable, use it to check your UAE visa status and monitor the application.
It is sensible to start checking your extension options before your authorised stay ends so that you have time to resolve document or eligibility issues. This is an operational recommendation, not a universal government rule requiring applications exactly 5–7 days before expiry.
Required Documents for UAE Visit Visa Extension
The required documents depend on the visa category and processing channel. Government requirements should be distinguished from any additional documents requested by a commercial service provider.
Official Extension Documents
ICP lists the following core documents for its visa-extension service:
- Passport
- Personal photograph
- The same supporting documents required for the relevant original visa category
The exact supporting-document requirement therefore varies according to the type of entry permit being extended.
Additional Service Requirements
Depending on the extension service and the applicant's circumstances, UAEVisaOnline may request additional documents or information needed to process the application. These requirements should be checked on the selected extension service before submission.
Do not describe a current UAE visa copy, Emirates ID, return flight, insurance document or cancelled residence visa as a universal government requirement unless it specifically applies to the applicant's visa category or selected service.
UAE Visa Extension vs Airport-to-Airport Visa Change
An inside-country visa extension and an airport-to-airport visa change are different processes.
An inside-country visa extension extends an eligible UAE entry permit while the traveller remains inside the country. An airport-to-airport visa change involves leaving the UAE and returning under a new visa or entry arrangement.
The two options should be compared separately because the procedure, eligibility and commercial costs are not the same.
Travellers considering an exit-and-re-entry option can review the 30-day UAE airport-to-airport visa change or the 60-day UAE airport-to-airport visa change.
UAE Visit Visa Extension Processing Time
Processing time depends on the authority and processing channel used.
ICP currently lists an expected service-completion duration of approximately 2 days for its visa-extension service. GDRFA Dubai lists an expected completion time of approximately 48 hours for its tourist visa extension service.
If an application is submitted through a commercial service provider, the processing estimate shown for the selected product may differ from the government service-completion estimate.
All processing periods should be treated as estimates rather than guaranteed approval times. Additional documents, corrections or immigration review can affect completion.
What Happens If Your Visa Expires or the Extension Is Refused?
If an extension request cannot be completed or is refused, check the reason provided and make sure you do not remain in the UAE beyond the stay legally permitted under your current immigration status.
Do not assume that submitting an extension request automatically gives you additional legal stay time. The traveller should confirm the status of the application and the expiry conditions attached to the existing visa.
If a traveller remains after the authorised stay or any applicable category-specific grace period, the current ICP visa-extension service lists an overstay fine of AED 50 per day.
If your visa is approaching expiry and you are unsure whether an extension can be completed, confirm the available option before the authorised stay ends.
Choose the Right UAE Visa Extension
If your current UAE stay is approaching its permitted end date, confirm your visa category and select the extension option that matches the additional time you need.
For one additional month, review the 30-Day UAE Visa Extension.
For a longer additional stay, compare the 60-Day UAE Visa Extension.
If you already know before travelling that you'll need more than 60 days, applying directly for a 90 day UAE tourist visa can work out simpler than extending a shorter visa after arrival. If you're applying for your original visit visa from Thailand, see our dedicated guide on the UAE visa for Thai nationals for the exact application steps.
Check the current eligibility, service price, required documents and processing option before submitting your extension request.
